The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, has applauded Nigerians, especially those who put their lives and welfare at risk to physically take part in the #ENDSARS protests around the country for the resolute citizens-action calling for end to police brutality, dehumanizing and coldblooded killing of people they are employed to serve and protect.
The commendation was made in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Institute, Chinedum Emeana.
According to the statement, the #ENDSARS protests serve notice to the political leadership in the country that the Nigerian people are aware that they have the power and can rise to influence public policy in order to regain human dignity and national reputation. Indeed, the people refuse to be taken for granted anymore!
It commended the federal government for its responsiveness in encouraging Civil Society to participate in the ongoing process of formulating a new direction for policing in the country and hopefully other security services. The chapter also commends Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and state commissioners of police who have demonstrated that they are willing to listen to the citizenry, who the police institution is created to serve in the first place.
The Institute also commended state governors who gave impetus to the #ENDSARS protests by identifying with the yearnings of the their people, especially Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who passionately addressed the protesters at the entrance to Government House, Port Harcourt, listing a litany of grievances that the people of the Rivers State have recorded against SARS without remedial action by the federal authorities.
It urged the government, civil societies and the entire citizenry not to settle for any mere superficial change of name from SARS to SWAT, but to insist on a far-reaching reform of the country’s policing system to recreate an effective, citizen-friendly police outfit that is ingrained with a new mindset of service to the people, with a system that quickly and openly sanctions erring police personnel.
It assured the Police authorities of its readiness to partner with it and other bodies to provide professional services in the police retraining programme planned for the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State.
“The core of the involvement of the NIPR Rivers chapter in the retraining process of a new improved Nigeria police will be geared towards creating a police system that ordinary Nigerians will be proud to associate with and celebrate and that those who wear the Police uniform need to do so with pride as an index of national reputation”. It stated.